Clay shrinks and will crack with the screw left in
How about using a metal screw insert in the pull. Make an oversize hole that will fit insert when fired (shrinks 12% or less)then epoxy insert into pull and screw into insert.
If you want the screw than ream out the screw hole a bunch and let shrink without screw-fire and hope it fits then-I would do the insert hole and glue.
Mark

What mark said. slightly bigger hole than threaded pole, when fired ... epoxy in. Threaded shafts are easy to find .. just make sure you get nuts and washers to go with them at the same time so it's a match and a simple matter.

I used epoxy putty for a while, but found it to be a bit awkward and messy, and required too much tooling and cleanup. The last batch I did with regular 2 part epoxy in the tubes. I found that if the hole was about 1/16 inch deeper than the plug, and just a hair wider, like almost no wiggle, I could put a big drop of epoxy in the hole, slide in the plug and it would squeeze just enough glue up the sides to hold it perfectly without any oozing out. Did a batch of 20 in just a couple minutes. I mark my drill bit depth with a piece of tape when making the holes.

IMG_0752.JPG220.72KB29 downloadsThis is the original sculpture for the pulls. I just finished prepping it for making a mold. when finished it'll have a short bamboo tube that carries it to the cabinet door. Sorry... I shot the photo with my Ipod, a little fuzzy.
Thank you all for your help.

I used epoxy putty for a while, but found it to be a bit awkward and messy, and required too much tooling and cleanup. The last batch I did with regular 2 part epoxy in the tubes. I found that if the hole was about 1/16 inch deeper than the plug, and just a hair wider, like almost no wiggle, I could put a big drop of epoxy in the hole, slide in the plug and it would squeeze just enough glue up the sides to hold it perfectly without any oozing out. Did a batch of 20 in just a couple minutes. I mark my drill bit depth with a piece of tape when making the holes.

never had much of a problem with mess. Roll out a coil thinner than hole, ram in the screw, compact the top edge with old credit card. File when dry. Different strokes for different folks.